Garden Coffee Tables

What a garden coffee table is for

A garden coffee table is the low table that sits in front of an outdoor sofa or between lounge chairs, keeping cups, glasses, plates and a book within easy reach so nobody has to get up. Every table on this page is a coffee table sold as outdoor furniture for the garden. On a patio, a deck, a terrace or a level patch of lawn, a coffee table gives the seating a natural centre, turning a loose arrangement of chairs into a place where people gather.

Materials in our outdoor coffee tables

We stock garden coffee tables in aluminium, wood, sintered stone and composite, and the materials decide how a table looks, feels and sits in your garden. Most of the tables here use aluminium, and most use wood. Most use sintered stone, and most use composite. Sintered stone is made by pressing natural minerals together under intense heat, so it has the solid look and feel of stone. Wood brings natural warmth and aluminium suits a crisp, modern outline.

Think about weight too. If you like to move the table around the patio to follow the sun, look for a lighter build; if your terrace catches the wind, a heavier table is the steadier choice.

Choosing a garden coffee table colour

Almost all of the tables we stock come in a choice of finishes: anthracite, graphite, grey, white, ivory, beige, brown, green, blue and red. That breadth means you can match a table to the furniture you already own rather than starting again. Anthracite and graphite sit quietly against dark fencing, slate paving and evergreen planting, while grey is an easy middle ground. White, ivory and beige keep a small or shaded patio feeling light and pair well with pale stone. Brown suits timber decking and wooden seating. Green, blue and red are for anyone who wants the table to add colour of its own, picking up cushions, pots or a painted door.

Garden coffee table shapes and layouts

We stock square, rectangular, round and oval garden coffee tables, and the right shape follows the seating around it. A square table suits a pair of armchairs set face to face or the inside of a corner sofa, where the seats sit a similar distance from the table. A rectangular table lines up with a long outdoor sofa and gives you more surface for plates and drinks when you eat outside. Round tables have no corners to catch a shin, which helps on a busy route through the garden or a compact balcony, and they soften a layout full of straight edges. An oval table offers the length of a rectangle with the gentler edges of a circle.

Sizing an outdoor coffee table

Measure your seating before you look at dimensions. As a guide, choose a table a little shorter than the sofa it serves, so there is room at either end to reach past it, and leave enough space between the table and the seat edge for legs and an easy route through. In a tight spot, a smaller table with clear space around it feels better than a large table squeezed in. Height matters too: a coffee table that sits roughly level with, or just below, the seat cushions is the easiest to reach from a relaxed position.

If you would like to put the table away after use, we also stock a folding acacia design in a natural finish.

Looking after a garden coffee table

A little routine care keeps your table looking its best. Brush off leaves, pollen and bird droppings before they settle, then wipe the table with a soft cloth and warm, mildly soapy water, rinse with clean water and let it dry. Avoid abrasive pads, scouring powders and harsh solvents, which can mark a finish, and go gently with a pressure washer. Dry wood off after heavy rain rather than leaving water to sit on it. During long spells of wet or freezing weather, a breathable cover or a spot under a canopy, in a shed or in a garage helps protect garden furniture. If you are unsure how to care for a particular material, just ask us.

Pairing an outdoor coffee table with seating

A coffee table looks best when it relates to the chairs and sofa around it. Match its colour to the frames of your seating for a calm, coordinated set, or pick a contrasting shade so the table stands out. Mixing materials works well outside: stone or composite beside woven chairs, or wood beside slim metal frames. Keep the table in proportion with the space, and think about what it will hold, because a lantern, a jug of something cold and plates for sharing need more room than a morning coffee. An outdoor rug underneath can anchor the whole arrangement and mark the seating out as its own area.